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The Situation Room
Clash at Guantanamo; Military Sources: More Troops Being Sent to Ramadi
Aired May 19, 2006 - 16:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And to our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time.
Standing by, CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you today's top stories.
Happening now, U.S. troops on the defensive.
It's 5:00 p.m. at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where troops are caught up in a club-swinging clash with terror suspects.
In the Iraqi town of Ramadi, meanwhile, U.S. commanders put out an urgent call for more troops amid fierce attacks by insurgents.
It's 5:00 p.m. here in Washington, where the Senate launches a preemptive strike in the immigration fight. Should English been an official language? I'll ask our cultural commentator, Bill Bennett.
And it's 4:00 p.m. in New Orleans, where voters are about to decide the future of the city. We'll tell you why the feds are keeping a very close eye on this election.
I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
U.S. troops have their hands full on two fronts. We have new details on that clash at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where terror detainees attacked U.S. military personnel.
And in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, U.S. commanders call for more troops. They need backup amid fierce fighting with insurgents.
We have two reports from the Pentagon. Our Barbara Starr is standing by.
Let's go to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, first on the clash at Guantanamo -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, I just got off the phone just less than an hour ago with the -- on a conference call with Rear Admiral Harry Harris, who is commander of the Joint Task Force Guantanamo down there. And he tells reporters that the -- that the attempt Thursday night, last night, by a prisoner to hang himself, was, in fact, a rouse to lure U.S. troops into an ambush.
Here is a little of what he said.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
REAR ADM. HARRY HARRIS, COMMANDER, JOINT TASK FORCE GUANTANAMO: The detainees had slickened the floor of their block with feces, urine, and soapy water in an attempt to trip the guards. They then assaulted the guards with broken light fixtures, fan blades, and bits of metal.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: Harris called the hour-long melee last night one of the most violent outbreaks in the four and a half years of the history of Guantanamo Bay. It was only quelled after U.S. troops fired rubber bullets from shotguns, and in once case, what's called a sponge grenade, non-lethal weapons, to bring the detainees under control.
It also happened after two earlier suicide attempts earlier in the day in which detainees apparently had squirreled away prescription drugs and tried to take them to commit suicide. The U.S. says that this was an attempt by the detainees to gain notoriety for their cause, and it comes as a top U.N. panel has called on the United States to close Guantanamo Bay and other secret prisons around the world, calling them illegal.
Here is the reaction today from the State Department.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN MCCORMACK, STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN: The president of the United States has talked about the fact he -- he doesn't want the United States to be the world's jailers, that we -- that we at some point in the future would very much like to see Guantanamo Bay closed down. But at the -- at the moment, it's housing some dangerous people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: The U.S. insists that those people are being treated humanely at Guantanamo, even as they're waiting for a Supreme Court decision about military commissions for some of them to determine their future.
This, Wolf, by the way, happened at the minimum security prison. But they consider that the most dangerous, because that's where detainees can get together and communicate with each other and cook up plans, they say, like this one that happened last night -- Wolf.
BLITZER: It seems almost every other week someone is calling on the U.S. to shut down Guantanamo. Some U.N. organizations, some U.N. agency, an international human rights group, even the British defense minister recently thought it would be a good idea to shut down Guantanamo.
What do they say at the Pentagon? Why not shut down Guantanamo and move these, what, 500 or so detainees to some base in the United States?
MCINTYRE: Well, you know, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, asked about this, said that he clearly would like to close Guantanamo and move these prisoners to other places. But the problem is, they don't want to send detainees to a country where they're going to be tortured, especially since the U.S. is under criticism for the treatment, themselves, and they want to make sure they're not a threat. And they say that's a difficult process, although just this week 15 Saudis were sent back to Saudi Arabia.
BLITZER: Well, what's the -- what would be the problem with just bringing them to Fort Bragg or some place in the United States?
MCINTYRE: Well, the Pentagon believes that the defense attorneys for these detainees have used the U.S. legal system to keep them from having accountability. And they don't -- they want to keep them in Guantanamo, where they would be subject to military commissions. And again, waiting for a Supreme Court ruling to see if they can do that.
BLITZER: Jamie, at the Pentagon, thank you very much.
In Iraq, meanwhile, U.S. military commanders are sending reinforcements right now to the city of Ramadi, where that has been some intense fighting between insurgents and U.S. forces.
Let's go back to the Pentagon. Barbara Starr has more on this story.
Barbara, what are you picking up?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, there is great hope, of course, that a new Iraqi government may be presented as soon as this weekend. But all of this comes again as violence is on the rise.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice over): Hundreds of U.S. troops are being sent to Ramadi in western Iraq. Senior military officials say the troops' mission will be to restore security after a jump of violence wracked the city. This follows days of running gun battles across Ramadi, with insurgents repeatedly trying to use an abandoned train station as a base to launch their attacks.
Elsewhere, in Falluja, gunmen attacked a police station with rocket-propelled grenades, killing two. And in Baghdad, the aftermath of an IED strike on a highway, while yet another bomb exploded next to a home, severely injuring a family.
U.S. commanders are pressing the new Iraqi government to finally crack down on militias which are widely seen as being behind some of the latest violence.
LT. GEN. PETER CHIARELLI, COMMANDER, MULTINATIONAL CORPS, IRAQ: I think the requirement to come up with a militia policy is absolutely essential. STARR: A major concern, sectarian violence is again on the rise.
CHIARELLI: And in the last week or two weeks, we have seen it begin to move up again. But there are accelerators to this sectarian violence. And I don't think they're always explained. And those accelerators are the actions of Zarqawi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR: So, Wolf, consider this: in the last six weeks or so, about 130 U.S. troops have lost their lives in Iraq -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And any expectation based on what you're hearing at the Pentagon what the nature of this battle at Ramadi, how much longer it's expected to go on? Are we talking hours, days, weeks?
STARR: What they have been experiencing in Ramadi, Wolf, is this: it's been intermittent, but it's over the last many days, running gun battles across the city. Insurgents continuing to go back to the train station, launch attacks from there, launch IEDs, launch sniper attacks.
They can't seem to get a handle on it and get the city calmed down. So it is very similar to what they've had to do in the past. It's what they did in March. They sent 650 troops into Baghdad to try and tamp down the rising violence there. U.S. troops now going back to Ramadi yet again to try to get control of the city -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Barbara. Thank you.
Six months ago, he called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. He said the mission was a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. Six months later, has anything changed? I'll ask Congressman John Murtha live in our 7:00 p.m. Eastern hour right here in THE SITUATION ROOM. I'll get his assessment, what's going on.
Let's go back to Zain. She's joining us at the CNN Center in Atlanta with a look at some other important stories making news.
Hi, Zain.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Wolf.
It's already Saturday in Baghdad, where in just a few hours, the incoming prime minister-designate, Nouri al-Maliki, will submit his cabinet picks to parliament. But a spokesman for a leading Shia party says al-Maliki will make only temporary appointments to head the defense and interior ministries, key posts. Sectarian disagreements over those posts have delayed the formation of a government for months.
There's some confusion over the fate of a diplomat who was kidnapped in Iraq. The 28-year-old from the United Arab Emirates was seized on Tuesday and his driver was killed. Earlier, the hostage's brother told The Associated Press there were reports the diplomats had been freed, but now he's saying that he can't confirm that. New signs of the increasingly desperate financial situation facing the Hamas-led Palestinian government. A senior Hamas official was caught allegedly trying to smuggle the equivalent of about $1 million cash over the Gaza-Egypt border. Hamas says the money was collected privately and it's demanding its return. Western aid to the Palestinians has evaporated, with donors demanding that Hamas renounce violence and recognize Israel.
We're going to talk about the Palestinian situation and a lot more with the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert. He's coming to Washington. His first trip as prime minister. And he's going to be Wolf's guest on Sunday on "LATE EDITION," 11:00 a.m. Eastern, only on CNN.
Space Shuttle Discovery is on the move, although very slowly. It's being rolled out to the launching pad in Florida. The four-mile trip should take about seven hours. Liftoff is planned some time between July the 1st and July the 19th. The shuttle mission will be only the second one since the Colombia disaster three years ago -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you, Zain, for that.
Zain Verjee reporting.
Let's bring in our Internet reporter, Jacki Schechner. She has more now on why it's taking seven hours to move the shuttle -- Jacki.
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, it's moving at less than one mile per hour. You can see it behind me on NASA TV. I promise you it's moving, albeit very, very slowly.
It's going from the vehicle assembly building where they put on the boosters and the external fuel tank. It's moving to the launch pad. When it gets there, they're going to put some cargo on it and do some more safety tests.
When it finally gets launched into space, it's going to head to the International Space Station. There, they're going to drop off a German astronaut, they're going to conduct some safety tests, they're going to drop off supplies, and they're going to do two, maybe three walks.
It's important to note that when the Discovery launched last summer, some foam fell off of that external fuel tank. This is a new fuel tank on this one, and this one doesn't have any foam.
You can go to NASA.TV and watch it, or even better, you can go to CNN.com/situationreport. We have put the links to this and all of our online segments today up there for you -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you, Jacki, for that.
Let's go up to Ali. He's watching "The Bottom Line".
(BUSINESS REPORT) BLITZER: No Jack Cafferty today. Jack has the day off. He'll be back on Monday.
Up ahead, a battered city only hours away from a key election. We're going to take you live to New Orleans, show you everything that's at stake, at least a lot at stake in tomorrow's mayoral runoff election.
Also, it has a history of devastating earthquakes. So how safe are Iraq's growing nuclear facilities -- talking about Iran's nuclear facilities, excuse me, not Iraq. CNN's Aneesh Raman is there, one of the few Western journalists reporting from Iran. We're going to take a look, a closer look at the impact, a possible earthquake and nuclear reactors.
Plus, language and the border battle. Are there racist overtones to efforts to making English the country's official language? We're going to talk about it with our CNN contributor, Bill Bennett. He's standing by live.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The debate over illegal immigration has led to some heated language recently as emotions flare on both sides. Now language is at the very heart of the border battles.
Let's turn to CNN Senior Analyst Jeff Greenfield in New York -- Jeff.
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SR. ANALYST: Wolf, it's semi-official, the Senate Thursday declared that English is the national language of the United States. It also declared that English is the common and unifying language, which sounds slightly less mandatory.
And if Congress does pass an immigration bill, it's sure to reemphasize existing rules that would require would-be citizens to be proficient in English. More proof, if you needed it, that this topic stirs intense emotions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD (voice over): To understand why, go back to the massive pro-immigration demonstrations earlier this spring, when the display of Mexican flags stirred strong reactions. Later demonstrations were dominated by American flags.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (SINGING): At the twilight's last gleaming.
GREENFIELD: Or consider the arguments over a Spanish language version of the "Star Spangled Banner," with some of the lyrics altered. For some, that flag and that song suggests that immigrants want to be in the United States, but not of it, that they identify more with the culture of the land they left. For generations of earlier immigrants, their first years in America were spent largely in neighbors where the language of the old country dominated. In New York, newsstands displayed papers in dozens of languages.
Today, with immigration rates higher than they've been in decades, there's a new boom in non-English media. On TV, Telemundo and Univision are major players, with a combined audience of more than 4.7 million viewers. In Los Angeles, Spanish language station KMEX is the most watched station.
But those facts have led to concerns that a younger generation that does not learn English will be powerfully disadvantaged in later life. That's one big reason why California voters in 1998 overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to require strong emphasis on English in the classroom. Not surprisingly, there's no consensus on whether that's made a difference.
There's no doubt that Asian-Americans now outperform every other ethnic group academically. And there's plenty of anecdotal evidence of Vietnamese refugees who mastered English and became academic superstars.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD: At root, this debate over language may go to the heart of what it means to be an American. We have come here from every corner of the world. We have no common race or religion or culture or ethnic group. So a common tongue becomes an invaluable tool for overcoming those differences -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jeff Greenfield, thank you very much.
And this debate over English as the national language is framed within a larger issue, the question of whether that controversy and the immigration debate as a whole are revealing some thinly-veiled forms of racism.
Let's bring in our Brian Todd. He's taking a closer look at this part of the story -- Brian.
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's a question that has already popped up in media debates and is now making its way into the public statements of national leaders.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Your racist lies!
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: We don't want your racist lies!
TODD (voice over): With the drumbeat growing louder, members of Congress in the immigration debate now allude to the elephant in the room. SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: I really believe this amendment is racist. I think it's directed basically to people who speak Spanish.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: The first people that really experienced it were the Irish. Then the same things happened to the Poles and the Jews, and when the Eastern Europeans came.
TODD: In an interview with CNN, President Bush weighed in.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it would be too harsh a judgment to say to somebody who doesn't support a comprehensive immigration plan that they're racist. I don't believe that.
TODD: The debate has permeated politics and the media. Beyond the rhetoric, the Southern Poverty Law Center reports the immigration debate has led to a rise in hate crimes and attracted white supremacists, who have exploited the debate. But even in the mainstream, has this controversy uncovered a subtle, but pervasive white racism in America?
PROF. CAROLYN GALLAGHER, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: The people who are espousing a hard line have to recognize, even if they feel they are not being racist, their rhetoric can be used or employed or pulled up by groups that are more hard-core.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Now, where will all that leave race relations in America once the debate settles? One expert says, at the very least, we'll see that when any major issue crops up involving legal or illegal immigrants, those groups will certainly no longer be in the shadows -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Brian. Thank you very much.
So with all of the news of English as the national or official language, as well as all of the week's developments on immigration reform, other matters, how has the president performed?
Joining us now, our CNN contributor, Bill Bennett. He's also with the Claremont Institute and the host of "Morning in America," a radio talk show.
Bill, thanks very much for coming in.
BILL BENNETT, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Sure.
BLITZER: Do you believe, as Harry Reid suggested, as John McCain yesterday suggested, that there is this element of racism hovering over this debate over illegal immigration?
BENNETT: I don't think so. I mean, in any debate in American life, the extreme, the fringe, hovers. I mean, pornographers, the worst kind of pornographers, hover somewhere over the debate about the First Amendment. But I'm still in favor of the First Amendment.
There are racists who oppose affirmative action, but that doesn't mean that everybody who opposes affirmative action is a racist.
BLITZER: Should English be declared the official language of the United States?
BENNETT: I don't know. It was interesting, the two votes today -- or yesterday made it the national language and then our common language. I would go so far as to do the official language, because as Jeff Greenfield said in the very good report just shown, we come from different countries, we have different nationalities, different background, different religions. We have to have something in common.
The most interesting datum I found when I was secretary of education were those parents that Jeff referred to in California, mostly Hispanic parents, as well, who also said that they wanted their children to learn English. Why? I don't know if they read the studies that they gave me at the Department of Education, but it turns out that if you're fluent in English, your chances of getting a better job are much, much better -- or a good job.
Now, should we be fluent in another language too? Sure. But learning English does seem to be a kind of necessary condition of upward mobility in our society.
BLITZER: I think everybody wants their kids to learn English.
BENNETT: Yes.
BLITZER: They understand that that's going to help them. The question is, would Medicare, Social Security, agencies of the federal government be required to give information out to people who call in, in languages other than English, like Spanish?
BENNETT: Well, you could do it and you could have a transitional period. You could say, after a certain time, we're going -- we're going to have it in English.
And notice the president's proposals and most of the proposals in the Senate already call for learning the English language. That's part of the temporary worker program. You'll pay back taxes, you know, you'll pay a fine, and you will learn the English language.
I think this is a pretty straightforward one. And I'm actually a little surprised at the intensity of opposition by the Democrats on this.
BLITZER: Here is the president speaking Monday night on the issue of immigration...
BENNETT: Right.
BLITZER: ... taking a stance, a sort of middle ground, as he likes to call it, between the hard-liners on the left, the hard-liners on the right, and whatever kind of framework you want to call it. BENNETT: Right.
BLITZER: Listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: It is neither wise nor realistic to round up millions of people, many with deep roots in the United States, and send them across the border. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A lot of people saw that speech as the president standing up to his conservative base.
BENNETT: Indeed, he did. He is. I mean, he is -- Joe Klein, our friend Joe Klein, has a book out.
BLITZER: "TIME" magazine.
BENNETT: Yes, "TIME" magazine. And he says that we need more conviction politicians. A conviction politician is one who goes to the base and says, "I don't agree with you." And the president did that to many of us on this -- on this issue.
I think he's misrepresenting. Nobody is calling for mass deportation. People aren't saying that people who are here illegally need to get to the back line.
The more interesting thing, if I can, you opened by saying, you know, it's been a week, how has the president done? Good to get through the week.
I mean, the intensity and the strong feeling about the various issues that we're citing, look at them, English language, immigration, the war in Iraq. We have this Guantanamo thing. There's this report about the United States Marines. You have...
BLITZER: Bill, hold on.
BENNETT: Yes, sure.
BLITZER: Hold on one second. I want to take a quick break.
BENNETT: Sure. Sure. Sure. Sorry.
BLITZER: We're going to continue this conversation. Much more with Bill Bennett right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: We're continuing our conversation with Bill Bennett.
When all is said and done, will there be immigration reform legislation passed in the House and Senate, a compromise that the president can sign into law, anytime soon?
BENNETT: I don't think this time -- no, I don't think anytime soon. The Senate will pass something over the opposition of people like Jon Kyl and Sessions. It will be most of the Democrats, some of the Republicans. But they won't get the House to agree. The House is hanging tough, and that's what their constituents are telling them.
BLITZER: Iraq, it's a huge problem hovering over the president right now. It's a critical moment.
The new government -- they're trying to form a new government. They're going to apparently swear in the new prime minister tomorrow, putting together a cabinet. But guess what? They can't agree on a defense minister, they can't agree on an interior minister. These are the two ministries that are in charge of the military and the police.
What does that say to you?
BENNETT: Well, you could turn it around and say the similar troubles we have here. You know, there are people who think there's trouble in the White House, trouble with the vice president, trouble with the secretary of defense. They have managed to get through these obstacles before, and I think they will do it again.
It is an important moment with the prime minister, Maliki. He'll put the first permanent government in. He'll certainly get most of it in. There may be a couple of laggards.
But again, this underscores, you know, the kind of week, the kind of week the president has. You know, some are born great, some achieve great, some have greatness thrust upon them, Shakespeare says. I don't know if he's got greatness thrust upon him, but the greatness of the issues and the intensity of these issues, these are all things that get people, you know, yelling and screaming. And they are -- and it's got to be an incredible time to be president of the United States.
BLITZER: Bill Bennett's got a new book coming out next week. He'll be back to talk about that then.
BENNETT: Right.
BLITZER: Have a great weekend.
BENNETT: Thank you. You, too, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you very much.
And our new -- Bill Bennett is one of our new political analysts, one of the reasons CNN is the best, best political team on television.
Our political analyst in New Orleans says this: You have to question what do you win -- what do you do by winning? He's talking about the mayor's race in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. Locked in a brutal political battle right now are the current mayor, Ray Nagin, and the Louisiana lieutenant governor, Mitch Landrieu. Let's begin our coverage on this day before the election with our Gulf Coast correspondent, Susan Roesgen -- Susan.
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN GULF COAST CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, everybody expects this election to be very, very close. In fact, I'm in front of city hall, where next week the city is supposed to test its new hurricane evacuation plan. And nobody knows who might be in charge.
Both candidates have been out all day shaking hands, hugging little children. But, you know, there's really a third opponent in this race, Wolf, and her name is Katrina.
Rightly or wrongly, Mayor Nagin is blamed for many of the failures during the hurricane. But he says he's been tested, he'll do better next time. And he says now is not the time for the city to choose new leadership.
Mitch Landrieu says just the opposite. He says the city and the nation, Wolf, expects new leadership to try to help the city recover.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): On board this bus could be the people who will help save New Orleans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROESGEN: So, Wolf, we're waiting to see what will happen, of course, tomorrow. The polls close at 9:00 local time. We have been told that perhaps it could be just a percentage point or two between the two candidates. No one really knows which way it's going to go.
BLITZER: And you'll be watching every step of the way, Susan. Thank you very much.
Susan Roesgen on the scene for us, covering this election. Of course, each candidate is seeking the vote. But with the damage that will take years to repair, some are asking if it even makes a difference who wins this contest tomorrow. Let's bring in our Rick Sanchez. He's spent a lot of time in New Orleans and you're looking right now, Rick, at one specific focus of the issues that are at stake here.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, and this is different, Wolf. That's why according to many White House officials, it's going to work.
This is why it should matter to all Americans. What it's cost. Look at the numbers, $900 million spent on mobile homes that as we knew back then were never used for various reasons, $632 million spent on hotel rooms when less expensive apartments would have been available. The total up to Americans, remember, this is your tax money. More than $80 billion, with a B, for a better way, according to White House officials, we take you for a ride.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) SANCHEZ (voice-over): Onboard this bus, could be the people who will help save New Orleans. Who is onboard? Executives. That's who. Representing some of the most powerful companies in the world. Citigroup, Caterpillar, Marriott, Goldman Sachs, Shell Oil, Home Depot, Dow Chemical, Disney, Wal-Mart. 32 in all, here on a trade mission. Trade missions are usually trips abroad, to emerging markets looking for U.S. investments.
CARLOS GUTIERREZ, COMMERCE SECRETARY: This is the first time we have ever done a trade mission inside of the United States.
SANCHEZ: Commerce secretary Carlos Gutierrez heads the delegation that includes stops at the state capitol and a bus tour of New Orleans. He says it's up to big business, not big government.
GUTIERREZ: We have an economy that works on the basis of job creation, ideas, energy.
SANCHEZ: But here is what Gutierrez's idea and New Orleans are up against. Schools and hospitals shut down, levees still being repaired. Investors are hesitant to jump in. But the CEO of Shan Industries tells CNN she's ready.
SHERI ORLOWITZ, SHAN INDUSTRIES: It's perfect. It's absolutely perfect.
SANCHEZ: She'll propose a plant for the gulf to produce $40 million worth of military shipping equipment annually. Home Depot announced it would invest $57 million.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Now, here is why it's so important for big businesses to take the lead in something like this. We talk to a lot of small business owners, not the big guys, the little guys in New Orleans. The restaurateurs, the barber shops, the local grocers. They are telling us, Rick, we can't open our doors, we can't open our shops until the big guys come back. That's what is going to bring back more people, and that's what's going to bring up the tax base which is where New Orleans is really hurting right now, Wolf.
BLITZER: I understand. And it's hard to believe we're only days away from the start of the hurricane season. I take it you're going to be busy from this summer into the fall.
SANCHEZ: As you can only imagine. But we have our new raincoats in so we'll be looking good.
BLITZER: We've got new technical equipment to cover these hurricanes as well. Let's hope there aren't any but I suspect there will be. Rick, thanks very much for that.
SANCHEZ: Sure.
BLITZER: Coming up, more on tomorrow's New Orleans election. It's the hometown of our CNN contributor Donna Brazile. She's going to join us here in THE SITUATION ROOM live with some unique analysis.
Plus, new concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Can it stand up to the next big quake? CNN's Aneesh Raman is there. He's one of the few Western TV journalists reporting from inside Iran and we'll go there. Stay with is.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. We want to talk a little bit more about tomorrow's important mayoral election in New Orleans. And the bitter battle involving race and politics between these two contenders. Our CNN political analyst Donna Brazile is a native of New Orleans. She is joining us in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Donna, before we talk about race, what's at stake tomorrow? You have been watching New Orleans politics for long time. You spent a lot of time there since the hurricane. You know the community quite well. What is at stake tomorrow?
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Tomorrow's election is about leadership. This is the most important election in the 288 history of our city. It's about who can rebuild, who can build the coalition, who can entice the business community to invest in the city as well as who can bring back the neighborhoods that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.
BLITZER: Before Katrina hit, Mayor Nagin was widely seen as someone who was enthusiastically backed by the business community, the chamber of commerce, the big corporations. What has happened since then?
BRAZILE: Well, Nagin won initially without the support of the black community, which is the predominant community in the city. Right now, I can tell you based on what I'm hearing and the polls that the African American community is split. Many African Americans believe that Nagin was unfairly treated since the hurricane. Many of them are now saying they're planning to vote for Mr. Nagin.
Although Mitchell Landrieu continues to get anywhere between 20 to 25 percent of the black vote. I do believe this is close because of the displaced voters and whether they will drive in tomorrow from Houston or Baton Rouge and other places, and remember, voters can still fax in their ballots before tomorrow night, 8:00 p.m.
BLITZER: Here is what Mitch Landrieu said last night in the debate. He said, "One of the things I'm most proud of is that in the primary, I got an equal amount of votes in the white and black communities and I believe that my campaign represents somebody who can actually represent the city."
That is Mitch Landrieu. The white candidate. The African American candidate Ray Nagin, "Says this election will say in spite of American prejudice I was able to attract votes from all races and classes and move forward with the process of healing."
How much of an issue is race in this contest? BRAZILE: Race is always an undercurrent in urban cities and it's more of an undercurrent in New Orleans because of Katrina and some of the problems that existed even before the storm. Look, there's no question that Mr. Nagin is now in addition to attracting the black vote, he was able to pick up the support of Rob Couhig, who was the only Republican in the race. And that's bringing some white Republicans into the fold for Mr. Nagin.
Now, Mitch has broad support. One of the biggest African American churches, Bishop Paul Martin (ph), endorsed him. The "Louisiana Weekly," the black newspaper, endorsed him. I think this race is really going down to the wire. We don't know what is going to happen in terms of the displaced voters.
BLITZER: And one final question.
The federal government is going to send monitors in to make sure everything is above board. How concerned are you, several civil rights leaders, Jesse Jackson, all Sharpton, others, have suggested there could be a problem. Are you worried about any irregularities that could unfold tomorrow?
BRAZILE: We didn't have a lot of irregularities in the last election. The secretary of state, Al Ater has done a fabulous job of trying to open up as many polling sites as possible to make it accessible. Again, people are able to fax in their ballot over the next 12 hours. I do believe that it's important to monitor the elections and ensure all of the precincts are open in a timely way and that there are poll workers.
But I have every confidence this is going to be a good, open, clean, transparent election tomorrow.
BLITZER: Given the fact so many people were displaced, this is almost like a new city in terms of the population. There is no way of predicting, really, who is going to win this contest. It's that close.
BRAZILE: It's very close and again, there are people who are planning, as we speak, they are planning to drive in from Atlanta. I have family members coming in from Houston. This is going to go down to the wire. But I'm confident the winner will help to heal the city and will put New Orleans back on the political and of course cultural map.
BLITZER: Let's hope they share a beignet afterwards and bring everybody together and get ready for this hurricane season that unfortunately is only -- starts June 1st.
BRAZILE: It might be a po' boy and musalada (ph) but it will be good.
BLITZER: All right. Donna, thanks very much. Donna Brazile, one of the best in the business. She's part of the best political team on television. That would be CNN, America's campaign headquarters. Lou Dobbs getting ready for his show. That begins right at the top of the hour. He's standing by to tell us what he's working on. Hi, Lou.
LOU DOBBS, CNN HOST: How you doing, Wolf, and we know that Donna will be ready.
Coming up here on CNN at 6:00 p.m., we'll be reporting on what is a major combat escalation by the insurgency in Iraq. There are suggestions tonight that the United States may be sending more troops to Iraq. We'll have a live report for you from the Pentagon.
As well, the Senate voting to make English he national language of the United States. In a sign of how strained and absurd the Senate deliberations over immigration reform have become, Senate minority leader Senator Harry Reid calls that racist. We'll have a special report tonight and I'll have a few comments as well.
And among our guests, the author of a major new study that shows the Senate's immigration proposals as they now stand could lead to an unsustainable surge in our population in the next two decades. Three of the country's top political analysts join me tonight as we examine the week's events and issues. We hope you'll be with us at 6:00 Eastern right here on CNN.
Back to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks, Lou. Thanks very much.
And still to come here in THE SITUATION ROOM, there's been a major break in one of the worst cases of ecoterrorism in U.S. history. There are indictments. Two people are under arrest. We have some new details. That's just ahead.
And there's a new argument about why Iran's nuclear program may be a problem. The area is prone to devastating earthquakes that could set off a nuclear disaster. Our Aneesh Raman is there. He's going to take us inside for a closer look. Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Looking at news around the world, Iran has been standing up to international pressure, saying it will press ahead with its nuclear program. But can its nuclear program stand up to a force of nature? CNN's Aneesh Raman is one of the few Western reporters inside Iran.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They still talk of ban today. They will for centuries. The devastating earthquake here tore apart the southern Iranian city in 2003, killing well over 40,000 people and living Iran to again confront what lies beneath.
The country sits along some of the world's most active fault lines which all but guarantees that what happened in Bam will happen again. And that raises a very difficult question. Amid the country's nationalist drive to have nuclear energy, can Iran cope with the environmental concerns of an earthquake under one of its nuclear facilities? Bam is just 550 kilometers, about 350 miles from Natanz where Iran says it is enriching uranium.
Iranian officials say little publicly or specifically on the subject, but say in general, their nuclear sites are prepared.
MANOUCHEHR MOTTAKI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The construction in Iran is quite strong. And all these factors including the earthquakes is considered.
RAMAN: But Iran's neighbors want more than that. The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates recently said in an interview about this issue, that to quote, "insure stability and the future of generations to come in the face of risks to the environment, we have to have further assurances, which we are seeking from Iran."
Iranians, for their part, have little choice but to trust the country is ready. Dr. Mohammad Soltanifar is an Iranian journalist who has been to the Natanz nuclear site.
MOHAMMAD SOLTANIFAR, JOURNALIST: There is hope that due to the highly sensitive nature of the systems, reliable measures have been taken to protect us.
RAMAN: Here they point elsewhere for nuclear precedent. In Japan where earthquake tremors are routinely caught on tape, there are nuclear facilities. And in California, another earthquake prone area, nuclear sites are mere blocks from active fault lines.
The difference is in Iran, the government hasn't publicly disclosed specific measures taken to secure the country's nuclear sites, leaving some to say here that is reason enough why a nuclear Iran is not worth the risk.
Aneesh Raman, CNN, Tehran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And coming up in our 7:00 p.m. Eastern hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM, he's a decorated veteran and a military hawk who has called for U.S. troops to start leaving Iraq. He did that six months ago. We're going to talk about the latest war developments with Democratic Congressman John Murtha. He'll join us live in THE SITUATION ROOM.
And coming up next, new developments in this spectacular fire. It was a multimillion dollar eco attack, or at least wuzzit (ph) on the Vail ski resort. We're going to show you what is happening right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There she is again. Zain Verjee is standing by with some more important news. Hi, Zain.
VERJEE: Four people have been indicted in connection with this 1998 arson fire at Colorado's Vail ski resort. An environmental extremist group calling itself the Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the blaze, which caused $12 million in damage. Two of the defendants are already in custody. Authorities are looking for two others.
That fatal shooting at the U.S.-Mexican border that was unfolding at this time yesterday is being sorted out. Border officials had pulled over the vehicle on suspicion it was carrying illegal immigrants. Police say shots were fired when the driver pulled away suddenly, nearly injuring an agent. The driver was killed, the passenger was arrested on smuggling charges and four illegal immigrants in the vehicle have been deported.
The FBI says the search at a Michigan horse farm for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa could take more than two weeks. It started on Wednesday and it was based on an informant's tip. And CNN has learned that the 80-acre farm was owned by a man who had been a longtime associate of the teamsters' leader who disappeared in 1975.
And Wolf, I know you have been following this closely. And you don't want to know this but unfortunately, their love endured tall tale, low moments, even a disappearing act. But it appears they will not be living happily ever after. Jennifer Wilbanks, known as the runaway bride said she and her fiance are through. The Georgia spent time in the national spotlight a year ago when Wilbanks vanished days before her wedding.
Then she turned up in New Mexico. She claimed to be the victim of kidnapping and sexual assault. Police later debunked that story. And her own -- the groom's family, by the way, Wolf, says they're just relieved it's finally over.
BLITZER: Too bad Jack Cafferty is off today. Zain, I'm sure he would have had some good insight into this story. Zain, thank you.
VERJEE: He would have. We miss him. He can't be let off again.
BLITZER: He'll be back on Monday.
VERJEE: OK.
BLITZER: Hundreds of Kentucky high school students have parents stationed in Iraq. But with the help of the Internet, those parents will still be able to watch their children graduate. And one ceremony is actually happening right now. Our Internet reporter Jacki Schechner has more on what is called Operation Graduation. Jacki?
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, what you're watching is Montgomery Central High School. This is their graduation video. You get to watch it, so do their parents serving in Iraq. This is in Clarksburg, Tennessee, in the Fort Campbell, Kentucky are. It's the first of seven high schools whose graduations are going to be streamed live over the Internet over the course of the weekend. The idea is some 250 students have parents who are serving in Iraq.
Now what they wanted to do at Fort Campbell when they started deploying some 20,000 troops starting last July is to make sure the soldiers didn't miss out on pivotal life moments. So they decided to use technology to keep these families connected and they got really lucky with this. They got a company called XOS Technologies that decided to donate the resources that were necessary in order to make this happen.
They've got a five camera shoot going today. And we just found out not too long ago, Wolf, that this is not the end of it. Liberty High School in Colorado Springs is going to have their graduation streamed as well. Wolf?
BLITZER: Thank you, Jacki, for that.
Up next, the impact of illegal immigration. Is the breakdown at the borders causing a burden for some business owners? We'll have that story.
And this important programming note. The new Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, he is coming to Washington, DC. His first trip as the new leader of Israel. He'll be my guest this Sunday on LATE EDITION. The last word in Sunday talk.
That airs 11:00 a.m. Eastern, 8:00 a.m. Pacific. Olmert on LATE EDITION this Sunday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Miles O'Brien has our "Welcome to the Future" report. Miles?
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, many employers in businesses like landscaping, construction and food service struggle to stay legit in an arena flooded with illegal workers. How can employers protect themselves and stay afloat?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have 12 million people in the country whose names we don't even know.
O'BRIEN (voice-over): Just one more reason why Tamar Jacoby of the Manhattan Institute immigration reform is vital or employers as well as immigrants.
TAMAR JACOBY, MANHATTAN INSTITUTE: Why would we want them to be in the black market when we could have them on the right side of the law, enhancing our security, enhancing our rule of law, and enhancing workplace relationships.
O'BRIEN: Right now employers can use a government Web site to ensure jobseekers are legal but of 5.5 million employers in the country, a mere 5,000 are enrolled in the program.
JACOBY: The databases aren't as accurate as they should be so right now it's an experiment on the way to the program that we need. O'BRIEN: If current reform bills become law the verification system would include biometric I.D. cards to prevent fraud and would make it mandatory for all U.S. employers to screen their workers, from megacorporations to families with household help.
JACOBY: Once you make sure that you can't get a job if you're illegal, that's how you're going to control who comes and who doesn't come.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN (on camera): Jacoby says it will take a lot of money and effort to make the worker database truly useful. But beyond that, right now there is no real incentive for companies to use it since it is voluntary and many employers prefer a don't ask, don't tell policy. Wolf?
BLITZER: Thanks, Miles. Let's go to Lou in New York. Lou?
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